Kwon Sang-woo would like more viewers, please
And wouldn’t we all?
Oh, Kwon Sang-woo. I understand that you’re in something of a career slump after being one of the hottiest hotties of the early 2000s, and yeah, both your best buds Song Seung-heon and So Ji-sub came off pretty strong series in the past two months… but is bargaining for more viewers really the way to go about it?
Ratings for his new trendy drama Cinderella Man have been low, and Kwon offered that if they rose above 20% (ha!), he’d personally ask co-star Yoon-ah’s girl pop group Girls Generation (SoShi) to make a cameo.
He said this at a recent open set day, when reporters were invited to the shooting locale in Yongin, Kyeonggi province. The ratings for the first four Cinderella Man episodes have been a disappointing 9.3%, 6.7%, 7.6%, and 7.0%, and he added that along with the Girls’ Generation cameo, he’d buy all the crew members MP3 players if ratings passed 20%.
I’m sure he was joking, but somebody tell me if this is actually very cute and for some strange reason I’m odd for not thinking so. (Psst! Crew presents are something you just DO without patting yourself on the back for it, and you really oughtn’t withhold them with a condition.) But still, you know things are pretty bad when a Hallyu poster boy like Kwon looks to the drama’s relatively good re-run numbers to soften the blow of his first-run broadcast numbers.
Kwon said, “Now that the competitor dramas are done, I’m hopeful,” speaking of the recently ended I Hate You But Let’s Try Again and Cain and Abel — but I don’t know about that, since today premieres two very buzzed-about rom-coms, City Hall and That Fool (aka the alternate titles The Accidental Couple aka “Just Looking” aka the former “Six Months.” Seriously, KBS? JUST PICK ONE ALREADY).
I’ll give the guy credit for being honest — he explained that he had a hard time with his last failed drama, Bad Love, because of the writing: “Actually, the script went in a different direction than the director or actors thought, which gave me some trouble.” It wasn’t just a problem with last-minute script pages (which happens when the script is delivered a few pages at a time, usually because of time pressure), and Kwon acknowledged that the characters and storytelling were also intrinsically problematic. He feels better about Cinderella Man, whose scripts aren’t late.
Kwon did, however, express a hint of dissatisfaction with his competitor drama City Hall, because at their production press conference, the writer Kim Eun-sook (On Air, Lovers) said of Cinderella Man and That Fool/Accidental Couple to reporters, “You probably know this since you’ve seen the highlight clips, but I think we’ve already emerged from the rivalry. I feel sorry to the other two. I think, ‘Why did you have to be up against our drama? If not, I would have watched yours.’ Now all we have to worry about is doing even better ourselves.” Kwon told reporters, “We’re all working hard to prepare and staying up nights to work, so how can she belittle other dramas like that in one phrase? Realistically speaking we can’t all do well, but I hope ours is a drama that will be loved.”
(Honestly, I’ve never liked Kim Eun-sook — and I thought her arrogance really came through in On Air — and now I just have another reason to feel iffy about City Hall.)
Kwon also admits to reading the drama’s online message boards, and had to deal with some negative comments: “I thought that if the drama isn’t entertaining, you wouldn’t be interested, or have a reason to deliberately go to the message boards, but strangely there are people who leave negative comments. Ah, those people are viewers too.”
On the other hand, when asked about wifey Sohn Tae-young’s new daily drama Two Wives, he declined to comment. She was, coincidentally, at her own drama’s production press conference at the same time, where she said she’s following her husband’s drama closely.
Today features Episode 5 of Cinderella Man (MBC) and Episode 1 for both City Hall (SBS) and That Fool/Accidental Couple (KBS).
RELATED POSTS
- First impressions: MBC’s Cinderella Man
- Currently airing dramas: A roundup
- Cinderella Man production press conference
- Cinderella Man’s island shoot
- Kwon Sang-woo gets an older brother
- Yoon-ah cast as Kwon Sang-woo’s jailbait love interest
- Cinderella Man’s leading lady Han Eun-jung
- Two Kwons for the price of one
Tags: Bad Love, Cinderella Man, drama ratings, Han Eun-jung, interviews, Kwon Sang-woo, Sohn Tae-young, Song Chang-eui, Yoon-ah
hmm…i’m personally enjoying this drama…the acting from half-newbie actress yoona might not be all that great, but she’s got talent! she’s just inexperienced with the whole LOVE concept….kwon’s acting is pretty solid still too…though i prefer him in more serious roles vs. the comedic ones…but that’s just my thinking….overall…i’m looking forward to this drama…..Yoona as the leading lady may be a negative for most people but i’m glad there’s a new fresh face on the scene…..i’m starting to get tired of past celebrities…make room for the youngins!!! hhahaha…
Wasn’t On-Air’s main female character a arrogant writer? Could she been writing herself in the drama? hahaha.
Poor Kwon, i feel bad for him
. But I don’t think is enough for me to tune in.
bleh… a very tasteless joke in that case. I definitely don’t find it cute at all, rather I find it pathetic *shakes head* I’ve never liked Kwon Sang Woo, and stuff like this makes me dislike him even more.
I was half thinking of giving this a chance (obvsly for Song Chang-eui!), but such statements really make me want NOT to. Pfft!
What Kim Eun-sook said was oh so classless!
um…. how about no. if snsd even makes a cameo appearance, then the ratings will go down even more. lol. ksw, what are thinking?!
“he added that along with the Girls’ Generation cameo, he’d buy all the crew members MP3 players if ratings passed 20%.”
It feels like he’s practically begging >.>
idk, but it just irks me because it feels like he’s desperate me. Rather than doing more promos and such to support the drama, i don’t like how he’s pretty much saying “if you watch and increase the ratings, I’ll have all the GG to come!” Whether it was a joke or not, it just seemed… lame >.>
Maybe his being newly married is also a factor, you think? I mean, subconsciously, viewers aren’t tuning in because of that. That is why a lot of these celebs keep their relationships on the down low. Just saying…
Can the network change time-slots? What about a 9 -10 p.m.?
It isn’t like its necessarily a sign of weakness. But why continue to go head to head against other dramas, first they went against Cain & Abel and Try Again, and now they got City Hall and Accidental Couple? I know Cinderella Man was there first among City Hall and Accidental Couple, but if ratings aren’t rising, maybe you just make a quick switch to 9-10p and then grab all the ratings?
If I had access to all three networks, live, and if I really liked Kwon Sang-woo, I would still have a difficult time choosing between the three. If they spread it out, I’d possibly watch all three. City Hall from 8-9, Cinderella Man from 9-10, and then finish it off with Accidental Couple from 10-11. Everybody wins, and I get to watch 3 straight dramas.
As it is, switching the slot to an hour earlier means that Ciy Hall / Accidental Couple can duke it out on their own and kill each other, and then Cinderella Man sits pretty alone.
-Samsooki
Hey, I enjoy this drama and you know what , I really liked Bad Love too. You all are asking for too much.
I thought he was good looking, Rm’ber his , ‘ stairway to heaven’ and ‘my tutor friend’ look. I really liked him then, and he looks like a nice guy, pretty wife , and a cute son. I like the guy but never been his fan say like Won bin, Seung- heun.
Ji- hoon , u should have learned something from ya seniors, Sorry m too shock, can’t get the issue pass my head.
Well i hope somebody watch the drama, the oldies deserve a better treatment.
I’m personally enjoying this drama a lot, and I really don’t have any idea why the ratings are that low!!! hopefully it will be better soon now with new two dramas starting.
I don’t think he’s begging the viewers to watch the drama! Actually all of the other actors/actresses I’ve seen, they say at the end of their interviews: “please support (the name of the drama)” or say “please watch (the name of the drama)”. It’s just a matter of habit and not begging!!! and I find it too cute ^^ I hope this drama will be a success cause honestly everyone is working very hard in this drama, so they deserve so much better ratings than this!
so please people give this drama a chance! at least see the 1st 3 episodes before giving up on it!!
““please support (the name of the drama)” or say “please watch (the name of the drama)”.”
I know that many actors/actresses ask the audience for support. But the reason why I got that desperate feeling was that he had to add that if the viewers supported and raised the ratings, he’d buy stuff for his crew and add in GG.
And it wasn’t just a little increase in ratings, he’s even asking for 20% ratings (thats quite a huge… jump. Considering not only is he asking for the drama to get into the double digits, but even in the 20s.)
Or maybe it’s just me and I really don’t like his way of trying to gain ratings ^^;;;
You know what I am thinking marriage changes things and I think Kwon knows that. He is not the same hottie that he was before and viewers are probably letting him know.
Kwon Sang Woo has a very droll, ironic sense of humor, and this is exactly the type of thing he’d say. I think he’s a riot, but it rubs many people the wrong way. When he was doing promotion for Bad Love, he was like “ajummas, have you had enough of sageuks? come watch my melodrama!” Everybody laughed. But it’s kinda true.
If you read between his jokes (and this “housewives of Japan/Korea, watch my newest melodrama” joke actually has been going on for many years), you do get the feeling sometimes that he’s no longer an actor, but a Hallyu property in the most limited, even tragic sense. In other words, he does these dramas because his management thinks this is what sells to his Hallyu fanbase, while his own domestic status has fallen greatly. Even when compared to other Hallyu actors, his choices perversely stay to an old fashioned, plain jane version of the melodrama format, ossifying him as a relic and perversely into a sad clown. That’s perhaps unfair; both Daemul and Love By My Side were top projects. And, when he’s up for it, his intensity can be frightening and his charisma can charm a thousand moons. But I guess it’s hard to not look at his career and wonder whether it was permanently damaged by that type of success.
i agree with most of the comments above. He does seem super desperate. Dramas aren’t always about ratings, and I feel as though he’s only looking at the numbers. Stop looking at the numbers and focus on acting. I wouldn’t suddenly be intrigued to watching this drama just because GG might be on it. it makes me not want to watch it even more.
I also do not like his new ‘do. Wonbin, So JiSub, and Song SeungHun came back from the army looking absolutely fantastic! they became even hotter. but after ksw got married, he became an ajusshi.
it’s funny what a dead weight marriage is on a heartthrob’s image. you’d think fathering a child = you’re fertile = more desirable! alas we live in civil society:P
the MP3 player baiting sounds like a page out of his new parenting skillz: cool gadget for you son, if ya get good grades this semester
RE: belleza’s sharp shootin’ as usual
a man can only flop so many times in japan, with gutsy fare like Running Wild & Fate:P
as for kim eun-sook’s backhanded “compliment”…kinda understandable since when times are tough, the few lone “victors” left standing can’t help strutting around with their chests puffed out — happens in TV and movies both. city hall as a setting isn’t too sexy, so she may have an uphill battle too (not to mention the her stars have some shine taken off in recent years? hmmhmm!)
I can’t watch Cinderella Man because the man’s track record has been god awful and projects like Stairways to Heaven, Bad Love, Sad Sonata, Love So Divine will burn even the good will of an actor of Kim Myung Min calibre.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think he is a bad actor (their are worse like his BFF Song Seung Heon ) but pick enough barf inducing projects and the pavlovian dog in us all will refuse to get up and get excited.
i like kwon sang woo’s dramas and films…i think he is one good actor…he might behave childishly, but come one….give the man a break…he just want people around him to be comfortable…besides…what is wrong in offering to buy mp 3s to staffs and invite the snsd or whatever group to do cameo?…i always told my co-workers that i’ll treat them to a cruise to carribean if i win the lotto…unfortunately, i never buy lotto coz i know i will not win…so , i guess that’s the same for ksw…just to encourage himself and the others…why are all the comments so negative? can’t you people take it positively? …no wonder there are wars in this world…
“why are all the comments so negative? can’t you people take it positively? …no wonder there are wars in this world…”
Wars are when two opposing forces fight against eachother. All we are doing here is just expressing our opinions ^^
Oh come on, if the show’s any good, people will watch. It’s pretty pathetic when actors have to beg for viewship.
Maybe he needs to think about his acting choices and take his career more seriously and become a better actor a la Kim Myung Min, instead of relying on past successes.
Looks like the 2 new dramas that debuted today against Cinderella Man both beat CM in the ratings today:
7) City Hall – 13.9%
17) That Fool – 8.6%
19) Cinderella Man – 8.2%
This guy is just down right awful; his acting, his choice in dramas and films, his decision to knock his gf up before marriage, his speech in justifying his actions, his begging, and what is so great about his face? Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating on his acting but it’s still bad, I don’t think I’ve seen any versatility or any improvements.
going from 7-9% all the way to 20% is a lot to ask for. I mean if they were getting close to break 20% (like if it was at 18%), then it would be cute to make such an offer. now it’s just blatantly desperate. He should just accept that the ratings for Cinderella man isn’t going to be great, but do his best and be content with it. Has he gone to the army yet?
@ all4movies
“Maybe he needs to think about his acting choices and take his career more seriously and become a better actor a la Kim Myung Min, instead of relying on past successes.”
and why are you even bringing Kim Myung Min to this discussion?!!!! is it because “My Love By My Side”!!!
the netizens are really something! one day they are all over a certain actor, and the next day they just dump him and say he’s already old and blah blah blah!! maybe that’s why Korean celebrities commit suicides!! <_<
I’m not defending any party, but I noticed that most of the people who commented here didn’t even watch Cinderella Man to begin with! but all what they wrote was really some hating comments saying that Kwon Sang Woo isn’t a heartthrob anymore and that he’s an ahjussie and that he depends on his last successes?!!
I’m not a fan of Kwon Sanw Woo and the main reason why I watched this drama is that I’m always curious to see how can an actor play a dual role in a drama!! so I was watching without being biased at all, and I think this drama is really good and that Kwon Sang Woo’s acting improved!!! I don’t really care whether he’s a heartthrob or not, but I’m just watching to enjoy myself!
Seems like Kwon Sang Woo’s been saying some crazy stuff to the press these days. Eh, I think it’s cute ^^
btw: Accidental Couple sounds much better than the previous titles. I don’t know what ‘Just Looking’ means…maybe they really wanted to call it ‘That Fool’ and thought it would be clever to integrate it into another phrase. Blech.
yeah his look like an ahjushi for me
“Has he gone to the army yet?”
Yup, before he debuted as an actor. Same with Kang Ji Hwan. They ain’t ever leaving us!!
I’m actually a big fan of Kwon Sang Woo, and in that regard, that’s why I’m critical of his career path. And again, personally, I think it’s a combination of bad advice from his management and a few bad breaks (Daemul and By My Side.)
Apparently, he’s slated to do another project with PD Lee Jang Soo (Stairway to Heaven, Love Story in Harvard) this year. It looks like a war drama, but it’s only 16 episodes and uhhh I’m not sure Lee Jang Soo is my first pick to do that kind of show. But, it begs the question: are we going to see a Kwon Sang Woo-Choi Ji Woo reunion?
To Kwon Sang Woo: “Whatever they say, don’t listen boy, because you’ll always be my favourite actor..”
In the past, present, and future..
Poor KSW – whether or not you like him as an actor (or celebrity), there is always something sad about a career losing its shine.
In any case I don’t think I will be giving this drama a chance anyway. I’m not basing this on actually having watched any of it , which could be a huge mistake and I might be missing out on a jewel of a drama. But I just wasn’t pulled in by any of the previews or clips I saw. With so many other dramas I want to get to, I don’t have the energy for a drama that I’m not sold on.
i love him too, his acting skill in Cinderella man is great!
like or dislike is your own opinion…
i dun think anybody have right to judge others by giving his/her own taste into it!
go down or go up? lets see, his projects are always the best seller export..
huh!
“lets see, his projects are always the best seller export..huh!”
Oh no doubt. In fact, I even said that Bad Love was virtually DOA when the project was announced, but that it wouldn’t matter because Japanese and Taiwanese investments would subsidize it. (Similar is true with Park Yong Ha and Man’s Story.) During his peak Hallyu popularity, he was very close to unseating the Philosopher King in Japan.
Also, I think you could similar arguments for Choi Ji Woo’s career (though she did have a very long run.) But, in her case, I think she is genuinely reticent about taking on roles outside a certain kind.
it only goes to show that viewers are not digging KWS-Yoona tandem(didn’t they sense there’s no chemistry here at the start?) …..
poor ratings can’t equate to his acting skills. He’s still one fine actor no matter what the numbers say.
@ Daisy
But if you looked at AGB’s rating, “Cinderella Man” beat “That Fool” by 2%.
6. The City Hall episode 1 (SBS) – 13.8%, 14.7%
12. Cinderella Man episode 5 (MBC) – 9.9%, 9.8% (#15)
The Accidental Couple / That Fool (KBS2) episode 1 – 7.6% (BT20), % (BT20)
I never understand what’s the difference between TNS’s and AGB’s ratings? Can someone care to explain? I don’t think Cinderella Man will ever reach 20%, but maybe 12%-15% if the ratings get over 10% tomorrow.
I feel bad for him but I’m just not interested in the story…
*sigh*
He…. he…. gave an incentive? That’s kinda sad really.
omg! it would be soo AWESOME if snsd made a cameo
and i hope the ratings do go up because the drama is awesome, i only like yoona and kwon sang woo though so i basically skip the scenes with other people in it xD
BTW I am not pooping on him because he is yesterday’s cold rice. I don’t care what he looks like or what his personality is like outside of his roles. I just hate all the projects he has done (Stairways to Heaven people!! Can you ever get those 16 hours back??) and Cinderella Man doesn’t sound anymore promising than anything else he has done by the story premise.
To me it seems like he pooped on his own career. If he is going for the Hallyu star perhaps he should have taken some interesting side projects here and there to improve his craft. He would have gotten my vote just for being daring.
@ belleza “Apparently, he’s slated to do another project with PD Lee Jang Soo (Stairway to Heaven, Love Story in Harvard) this year. It looks like a war drama, but it’s only 16 episodes and uhhh I’m not sure Lee Jang Soo is my first pick to do that kind of show.
Please tell me this isn’t so. Those two dramas have got to be on my all time worst kdrama list. I will make sure I avoid it like the mexican flu when it comes out. I don’t think my sensibilities can take another travesty like STH or LSiH.
#28 Belleza
”
“But, it begs the question: are we going to see a Kwon Sang Woo-Choi Ji Woo reunion?
OMG you just made my day with your thought…aww..I wish that would come true.:-)
CJW will have a reunion with BYJ in Winter Sonata Animation and that would be awesome if we can have another reunion with KSW. I am just dreaming
On a side note, I don’t think see that KSW was begging. In his honest truth, he knew that it would be almost impossible to get 20+ % rating. He just said what he said to be sarcastically joking to ease the pressure. That’s all.
“Stairways to Heaven people!! Can you ever get those 16 hours back??”
lol. I love that drama XD I’m surprised you even managed to watch 16 hours though, my friend attempted to watch it and couldn’t even finish the first two episodes because the moment Ave Maria came on, she said there was too much drama :O
I agree with you about Love Story in Harvard being worst K-drama. IMO, it was the reason why A) I hated Kim Rae Won’s character. All he ever did was be so rough and yell >:O and than B) Upset at Kim Tae Hui for choosing Kim Rae Won because it seemed like Lee Jung Jin was the man who actually did all the work to protect Kim Tae Hui and sacrificed more than Rae Won >.>
i AM Sorry But I don’t really like cinderella man. script not many interesting.
I were waiting it But I don’t
continue after episode 1
oh man i loved kwon sang woo…what has he gotten himself into? whats with the hair do? i hate it so much…he looks so freaking UGLY… i loved him man & look what the hell happen to him…& this yoona chick, she pisses me OFF … stupid stupid stupid cast director!!!
“I’m surprised you even managed to watch 16 hours though”
I made it through for three reasons
1. I was fairly new to kdramas back then. This was probably the 2nd or 3rd one I watched and I was just optimistic that it would get better. I was stupidly naive. Now I abandon dramas with a regularity of a serial monogamist if it doesn’t float my boat. I have also become savvier and know what to avoid. Any words with “sad” or “love” in the title I avoid like the plague.
2. I was hoping for peeks of KSW’s hard body in the shower–I had never seen a beefy Asian before and I assure you it was for pure research purposes. Honest!
3. I watched STH as a camp vehicle. If you see it that way the entire series is almost fun especially with 4 or more glasses of wine in you. However bad STH is it is infinitely more watchable than Autumn Tales which was so boring and the characters so flavorless I was praying everyone would die at the end. How happy was I when I almost got my wish in the last episode!
I’m surprised that I actually am still watching kdramas considering how awful my early experiences were. Lesson learned: do not get your kdrama must watch list from Soompi. I kid you not when i say the kdrama Resurrection resurrected (haha) my faith in kdrama. I was all ready to enter the nunnery in terms of any TV entertainment.
I don’t think it’s cute, even though I think Kwon Sang-Woo is cute :O
On another note, that writer seems very unlikable.. – w -
@ selva
“the netizens are really something! one day they are all over a certain actor, and the next day they just dump him and say he’s already old and blah blah blah!! maybe that’s why Korean celebrities commit suicides!! <_<”
Sorry if I offended you with my comments.
I’m actually not a fan (and probably never will be) of Kwon Sang Woo and I was just commenting that his whiny attitude sucks. If he worked hard on his craft like KMM (who’s one of the most dedicated and hardworking korean actors today), he may actually do something people may want to watch. And I still think he has banked on his “pretty boy” image too much and that’s why there is a backlash against his current “Ahjusshi” looks. Personally, he doesn’t do anything for me with his vacant stares.
IIf that bothers you, I’m sorry.
I thought he was droolicious in Stairways To Heaven ( maybe because of that Led Zeppelin’s song ..)..you know running after the bus in was it Hugo Boss suit?..wow!!..but the hottness has just fizzled sort of…..I am still drooling over Cha Seung Won, Lee ByungHun, Lee Jung Jae tho’..But good luck in your new drama! Baby Luke must be so adorable!!
Please forgive me for being blunt. I think the leading female actress is really ugly at all angles when the camera was focused on her. She is not pretty at all. I do not understand why she was chosen for this leading role when she was not even an actress ( when she first joined in Girl Generation )
@belleza
Could anyone really unseat the Philosopher King? I think it would be impossible…I mean can you imagine KSW brand kimchi (was it kimchi that was branded under BYJ’s name?) being sold in Japan?
I’m ambivalent towards KSW as an actor. I watched the two episodes of Stairway to Heaven and literally sobbed the whole way through and decided not to continue because it was way too melodramatic and I was not in the mood to spend the next couple of months being depressed. But then again, he didn’t appear that much in the first two episodes (I think? I really don’t remember…). I also saw My Tutor Friend and it was okay, but again not too impressed. The reason why I’m avoiding Cinderella Man though is more because of what I read about the plot and what I’ve seen in the previews.
I know everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but like others have mentioned here, a lot of the commentors have not even seen this drama yet.
I was really looking forward to Cinderella Man, but to be honest I was a little disappointed with the first two episodes. What made me give it another try and continue watching was Yoona and Kwon Sang Woo’s acting. I didn’t care much for Yoona’s acting in 9 Ends, 2 Outs or You Are My Destiny, but she has matured a lot and her acting has definitely improved. A lot. And though I’ve always been a fan of Kwon Sang Woo (more for his eye candy factor than his acting), he actually pulls off the comic flair quite well, and the dual role that he plays is believable. Just finished watching episode 3 and I must say that I am really starting to like this drama! So…if you can get past the first two episodes, it might be something worth watching.
Oh, and to the person who considered watching this drama for Song Chang Ui. Kim Eun-Sook is the writer for City Hall, not Cinderella Man, so I think you should think about giving this drama a chance again. His role is definitely different from his character in Golden Bride. Is it in a good way? You’ll have to decide that for yourself. ^_^
o my nycgirl, you must be my lost twin…. I can totally picture u rolling eyes with me laboring thro StH, AiMH, LSiH.
I didnt ask back my 16 hours watching STH because I did get at least one roflmaf moment per ep. To this day I still have the ridiculous visual of KTH glaring(ie acting) while trying to wipe off the gallons of koolaid/blood on her windshield with her white sweater after she hit CJW (then the amnesia?!…AND the eye2>?#$ cancer?!?!)
KSW actually fascinates me tremendously as in I’m really really trying very hard to give him chance after chance to convince me he’s an actor. I’m not saying he cant act, I’ll just put it as his style of acting (to me) is very over the top that I cant help cringing. So whether he’s crying his mightiest, or trying to be funny it looks awfully fake and screams ‘LOOK!! I’m ACTING/CRYING/BEING CUTE/FUNNY!’
But since he’s raved as this big Hallyu property, I did check out a bit of everything he’s in… and nope, nth on his resume has given me the pieces of the puzzle. I could care less of his off screen persona. It’s never bothered me, but his acting is.
I did watch C Man (almost 20 min), it felt like watching the usual KSW fare , it’s trying way too hard to please, going in all directions yet cant find its center….ending up in sth that is just bland/lacking. He’s still overacting to me that it doesnt feel natural and convincing.. Yes, I can tell he’s playing 2 characters, but they r more like dramatized caricatures than real flesh and blood.
“I was just optimistic that it would get better. ”
I totally understand since I thought that too (but I’m the one who must finish what has been started, so I ended up watch up to the last one – staying up til 3 am trying to finish the series with red eyes and a load of tissues comforting me by my side. I actually liked the drama once I finished it because I ended up watching it again :O ) You think it’s gonna get better -the couples end up together! But oh noes! Her she loses sight! But she gets them back from her brother… who dies. Than when all is well she gets cancer! Than she dies TT____TT
“you know running after the bus in was it Hugo Boss suit?.”
Watching that made me all giddy inside when I watched that scene XD (Every time there was happy moment, I couldn’t laugh well because my nose was plugged.)
But, as hard as it is to imagine looking at him now, KSW used to look gooooood. The time when his hair was short.. er (or well… not permed.) and wearing suits… and… it was nice ^^ To put simply, KSW was better off masculine. Now he’s gotten a bit femmy.
“I do not understand why she was chosen for this leading role when she was not even an actress”
Actually, Yoona was first in 9 Ends 2 Out. She played the creepy fan of the baseball dude.
But than she got lead in You Are My Destiny which had good ratings and she also one several awards including best new actress. Therefore, along with her immense popularity as part of SNSD, it’s no surprise that she was able to get another leading role. It’s just the age gap thats awkward which I dont understand why she was picked (she’s 18/19 >:O playing the love interest of an ajusshi! Makes the guy look like a cradle robber… because no matter how hard Yoona dresses older, she still looks young and KSW still looks old… er.)
For all intents and purposes, Yoona is really a young actress who happens to sing and dance in her girl group. She lacks the emotional experience to execute a lot of situations (and she’s still too green do lead work), but the basic training is there. I actually think she’s technically more “there” than Lee Yeon Hee or Go Ara.
“Could anyone really unseat the Philosopher King? I think it would be impossible…”
True, there is only one Philosopher King. But, Kwon Sang Woo is Nippon Elvis. When he winks, a panty from a 60-year old grandma announces itself at his feet. To the Hallyu eye, what is Kwon Sang Woo? He’s petulant brat, casual bastard, a sneer and a wink. He’s also a born-again Catholic, God-fearing, honest, more afraid that he is letting on. He’s the joker and the drunk romantic. He’s always saying sorry. He siezes the frame of a camera with a raffish elegance that perfectly complements the extended collars and whiskey in his hand. Then he gives up that power, not knowing what to do with it. He’s a beautiful loser. Kwon Sang Woo makes you laugh, because he doesn’t want you to look too closely. Get too close; he becomes his rage. Go too far away; he’ll mope like a little boy. Nobody else makes misoygny as sexy as he does. And nobody is funnier. No other Hallyu star seems as close to being a parody of his beautifully mean days as he. He is Nippon Elvis and he needs to leave Vegas.
Having said all that, I’m still going to see Cinderella Man. I really, really enjoyed the first half of Bad/Cruel/Mistaken/Screwed-Up/Wretched Love, what with its love of Terminator 2, The Grudge, and Fried Chicken. He did Stairway to Heaven, but with Bad Love, he truly achieved Highway to Hell. When I watched Stairway to Heaven, I’d frequently call my brother to act out scenes. And who can forget that scene, where Nippon Elvis stands by his white piano on a beach and intones the most Zen line in all of K-drama: “Maybe, he loved her more. But I did not love her less.” (Even Philosopher King doesn’t understand WTH that means LOL
)
All I know is, when Kwon Sang Woo finally rests on that fateful day, they will play that gloriously cheesy version of Ave Maria. And, in that moment, people will dream of white pianos on beaches and K-drama plots that make no sense. Elvis has left the building.
I personally enjoy the drama. Kwon Sang Woo’s acting is solid and despite the fact that the main actress looks really forced in the romantic scenes, I think the drama is a good one. About Kwon Sang Woon’s joke, well if it’s a joke, why taking it seriously? who cares?
^Belleza….y…brought…up…the…white…piano…..scene
I rem I always do my dishes (most dreaded chore) while watching…and I broke my fav mug watching that scene coz I’m laughing too hard..
the slowmo…starting fr a soft back shot…whilst oppa was turning, a hint of a tear in his eyes for 10 full sec till he faced us full frontal and uttered those words… priceless and bestest comedic scene ever.
“priceless and bestest comedic scene ever.”
Oh I know. I’m not kidding when I agree that it’s the BESTEST EVAR!!!
Quote the Analects of Confucius, it’s “da bomb azz mo fo sheet.”
(no really, Stairway to Heaven is like the Pulp Fiction of melodrama to me. It’s best enjoyed when you’re retelling your friends individual sequences.)
The discussion of KSW’s dramas made me laugh so hard. =D
I only liked KSW in Dating Now. He was adorable in that drama. Regarding his joke, well, he really sounded desperate.
Babe..belleza..you’re wild hilariously..I dropped my panty too LOL so hard..He’s not Elvis..Jang Hyuk was!..Man..i’m cruel but my best mate ..i mean like she’s closed to him and have met him several time..Hahaha!.. seriously this man looks so good in person. Sang Woo broke millions of hearts when they (girls, wives, boys..) found out about he had knocked up STY….My favourite one is still ‘Make It Big’…
I tried watching Cinderella Man. Couldn’t finish even one episode -__- The script is just bad. Very uninteresting/boring/slow pace story… IMO. Besides I don’t like Yoona (but I like SNSD
). I reckon the role doesn’t suit him at all. He needs to play an arrogant rich bastard who falls in love with a poor woman. Hahahaha. It’s just my preference.
i tink CM nice lorr.
i juz dunno why rating so low.
a story sadder than saness
^….bwahahaha
Sad Love Song was the beginning of the end for me. Bad Love was the death knell.
Just because a script is delivered on time doesn’t mean it’s good, though I don’t think he’s begging. Lots of actors promise to do silly stuff to get higher ratings, even if their shows are #1. Just happens that CM isn’t doing that well.
the setting dongdaemun market attracts me because i want to see what it looks like. and i always like fashion themed show. i just wish they have better plot and better lead actor
im not saying ksw isnt a heart throb (because to me he never is), but the character need someone bit younger
based on what belleza’s comments, i think i like KSW’s sense of humour and straight forwardness
@city hall scripwriter’s comments, what a cocky lady. her 13.9% for 1st ep is not that magnificent as she said
@ mookie – Apr 29, 2009 at 11:56 pm
“o my nycgirl, you must be my lost twin…. I can totally picture u rolling eyes with me laboring thro StH, AiMH, LSiH.”
Is your blood type B? And do you have a strange weakness for all things Christopher Walkin? If yes you just might be. I feel like I’m becoming like the Simon Cowell of kdramas. I need a Susan Boyle to stoke my fire and have faith in humanity every once in a while. It has been some time since a gem came along.
@Belleza
“He did Stairway to Heaven, but with Bad Love, he truly achieved Highway to Hell.”
LOL. Ever thought of being a film critic? You could make a grown man cry.
aww Kwon Sang-wooo… I’d watch your drama if I could.
I feel bad for him. He’s practically begging for viewers to tune in. But there are too many good dramas right now to give “Cinderella Man” a chance. Sorry KSW~!!
I don’t think the drama is that bad…. He just has bad luck
poor KSW!
I don’t think it’s bad luck, imo when it’s this calculated a move it’s more ‘hard’ work than luck that has got him in this spot. The drama is not bad, it’s just un-fresh. KSW is more of a cliche king than The Hallyu thing. Cliches are comforting though, it’s extremely predictable. You can tell down to the nanoseconds when he’s going to cry and how many tears will be rendered. Seriously, I do think he and his handlers have a very lazy and dated taste in scripts….imo they r looking into how many minutes of guaranteed fanservice. More than 3, Kwon is in. They figure if KSW can become Hallyu god with a morbid comedy blatantly faking as a melo (and everybody is buying), he is really god and can do no harm.. it’ll even make him grander if he keeps working w/ even more outrageous scripts and rise above it with his 6 pecs, which is actually true in his case.
@nycgirl lol I’m not Type B and who doesnt have a thing for Christopher Walken (Capt Koons and THE watch)? It was also Resurrection that got me, I went on to check out what’s the big deal that killed it in ratings (mnikss), and now I’ll go and check out City Hall though Suna’s ‘Night’ was a snoozefest for me.
I watched the first episode of “That Fool” (Six Months) last night and it was very entertaining! I had high hopes for that drama and was looking forward to its premier! And it did not disappoint me one bit! I love both leads and I’m so excited & can’t wait to watch the second episode! That is the feeling I DIDN’T get from watching “Cinderella Man” It was so boring and I couldn’t even bring myself to watch the second episode. Sorry KSW.
^ I am watching Babo now, half way in…I’m sold. This is fabulously done cliches. Hwang Jung Min is my boy-Samsoon/ yummyDensha. I’m already falling head over heels. KAJ is fine too even though her nose reminds me of pinocchio’s.
Actually, the two big dramas of 2008 and 2009, East of Eden and BOF, started off with the same ‘unimpressive’ ratings and we all know how the rest turned out. City Hall just premiered and it’s already in the double digits. I’m definitely not a fan of City’s writer, On Air was a snoozefest and Lovers was good until it became melodramatically unbearable 2/3rds of the way through, but Cha Seung Won and Kim Sun Ah have undeniable chemistry, plus their coupling/interactions are freakin hilarious from what I’ve watched of the first two episodes. City’s writer may be off-puttingly arrogant, but I kind of think she’s entitled to be. I mean most of her drama series have been ratings super-hits…and that’s a pretty impressive track record, imho, so a little arrogance isn’t unwarranted on her part.
It must suck to arrogant and for everyone to notice :]
Kwon Sang Woo introduced me to K-dramas with his Stairways to Heaven and I think not only me but the people in our country learned about K-dramas because of Kwon Sang Woo and his Stairways to Heaven, we will never forget his name ‘Cholo’ (the name we uses here in our country when they translated/subbed it in Tagalog). He will always be our one and only ‘Cholo’. Have always supported his projects though I must admit some of them dissapoints me like Bad Love, but still I endured the 20hrs of it coz of him. Have seen the first 3eps of Cinderella Man and have enjoyed it, like the story, like the 2 actors, though must admit that am not that keen about the 2 leading ladies but Yoon-ah’s acting have improved a bit compared to her You Are My Destiny’s days. Am sad to see that some people already calling him an ahjusshi just becoz he got married, but still he is one ‘yummy’ ahjusshi for me!! Maybe this is the reason why most Korean actors/actresses (esp actors) were not yet married eventhough they’ve past the age 30 and the reason why you can’t find articles about their lovelife?? maybe the Korean viewers like their idol to be always single and only for themselves ha?? Sort of feel sad for them too that their sacrificing their lovelife for the their career, I am for one would be happy to see them married and happy and having children, like to see the next generation of the likes of Ji Sub, Jun Ki and BYJ!!
yoona is actually the biggest reason why i cannot continue watching this drama… even though i love KSW (and co-star, Song Chang Ui is a cutie too)… i’m sick of SNSD polluting the airwaves, to be honest. i can only tolerate any of them in small doses.
just the suggestion of an snsd cameo is SUCH a turn-off! i’ve said it before … i’ve never liked ksw, and yoona can’t act her way out of a paper bag. song chang eui was the only draw here for me, but unfortunately … it’s not enough to make me want to tune in to this drama.
sorry, but i also think that the crew members have their own MP3 players by now. it’s like offering to buy them handphones. XD
I honestly love Kwon Sang Woo, his acting is just stellar, and he is the best!
I dont understand how people can dislike this drama, it is totally engaging me non-stop and I cant wait for the upcoming episodes to be aired!
Haha, and funny thing is, my family, who usually doesnt like to watch korean dramas, actually loved Bad Love. His acting is just fantastic!
Guys, trust me, this show is a must watch!
Enjoy!
The point of watching dramas should be about the plot and the acting! So people please, regardless of whether Yoona is in it, and SNSD whatsoever, she has been doing a good job so far! So give her some credit! And I think people are just criticizing KSW after he got married. they are just jealous. he still rocks no matter what. best actor ever.
The only reason I would watch drama is because of the men.
Kwon sang woo seems to getting cuter in a younger way every day and Song Chang Eui is just really really really really hot.
I don’t know why but I get weirded out by the idea of 2 Kwon Sang Woos. Haha.
This drama is way too boring and doesn’t even come close to So Ji Sup (AHHHH HOT!!!)’s Cain and Abel which I found to be amazing! and Song Seung Hun’s East of Eden (I think I gave up at ep. 40).
Let’s wish him better luck next time. He’s competing with other legends and the cast seems rather weak (because most of these guys are newbies. sorta. well at least compared to other dramas) and these guys are competing against Cha Seung Won & Kim Sun Ah, Hwang Jung Min & Kim Ah Joong.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a huge fan of Stairway to Heaven and I absolutely love Kwon Sang Woo because I truly believe that he’s an amazing actor. (especially at the crying scenes) but for me personally, this drama doesn’t catch my interest when I’m watching it. Maybe I’ll try again once school gets out.
I have watched 2 epis of CM. My take is that his real life personality is way, way bigger than his reel life characters. I do respect him as an actor. But that arrogance and cockiness is peeping through any character that he plays and my respect for him as an actor is slowly waning. My fear is that the ratings will go downhill from here.
ehhh…
I’m not a big fan of KSW. Stairway to Heaven was a bit boring and his acting was okay, but after that I just didn’t feel like watching his other dramas
but the main reason that I didn’t watch CM was because I heard Yoona was going to be there…truthfully -_-;
I saw her in You Are My Destiny and she has pretty bad acting. the reason I watched that drama (not the whole thing) was only because I thought the plot was interesting, although it took sooo looong for it all to unfold -_-;
but yea…I really didn’t like Yoona’s acting so I didn’t even bother to watch CM
and yes KSW sounds quite desperate for viewers….although I guess any actor/actress would be when their ratings are so low and the hype for the drama was pretty high
Can you blame him for appearing desperate? He knows he is no spring chicken, and he is up against evergreens like Hwang Jung-min, as well as upstarts like Kim Bum and Lee Min-ho.
I’ve never watched Stairway to Heaven (I’ve heard it’s his best work to date) and don’t think I can bare the melodrama and sad ending. Which is why I still rank Bad Love as one of my faves, even though many ppl think it stinks. We have had enough melodramas with sad endings and Bad Love was refreshing, despite what antis say.
I agree with Belleza who said viewers subconsciously lose interest because he is now married. I don’t agree with those who say he is morphing into an ajusshi, he is still charming, even though he speaks with a slight lisp and says dumbass things that shoot himself in the foot sometimes. That’s endearing, isnt it?
If Kwon Sang-woo is an ajusshi, wldnt that make Kang Ji-hwan one too? The latter is only a yr younger
I am eagerly anticipating this drama to hit Singapore shores. I’m even willing to give Yoona (cant stand SNSD) a chance before I judge.
[...] Source: Dramabeans [...]
Excuse me, fraulein, but what does age have to do with whether a drama is popular or not? Jang Dong Gun is OLDER than Kwon Sang Woo but he manages to draw in hordes of people. Song Seung Heon is the SAME AGE as KWS and yet his drama “EOE” managed to stay within the high 20% viewership. Aside from blaming script writers, wouldn’t you say part of its demise is that perhaps he chose the wrong drama to participate in? I mean, the age difference between Yoona and KSW CANNOT be missed. And just because people don’t like “Bad Love” doesn’t make them “antis”. Just as YOU have a valid reason for liking the drama, others have just as a valid reason NOT to like it.
It’s interesting that aside from “Stairway to Heaven”, NONE of his movies OR dramas fared well after that. And this was BEFORE he got married. He’s prone to saying the wrong things at the wrong time and perhaps part of the reason why viewers are disenchanted with him has less to do with his “marriage” than with his lips. He’s offended a lot of people, whether intentional or not, and so has his wife. KSW was recently on the MBC variety show “The Knee Guru” and he’s said that he was “misunderstood” when he said certain things and people took it the wrong way. And his BFF friend SSH came by, worried again that KSW might say something else that would offend people. You’d think that if your own best friend is worried about you saying the wrong things, he’d THINK a little more before he speaks?
As omo stated here:
“…My take is that his real life personality is way, way bigger than his reel life characters. I do respect him as an actor. But that arrogance and cockiness is peeping through any character that he plays and my respect for him as an actor is slowly waning…”
This is one of the reasons why KSW is not as popular. Instead of worrying about how he can IMPROVE as an actor, he has the nerve to blame other people for the low ratings and box office numbers. Heck, if he wants to give SNSD MP3s (because we all know they can’t afford one, right? And everyone else in Korea who are breaking their backs working in the fields from sun up to sun down are wealthy as heck) why not go the whole way and tell viewers that he’ll buy an MP3 player for EVERY PERSON WHO has a ratings box in their home! That’s a shoo-in for increasing viewer ratings, wouldn’t it? I have not seen KSW improve as an actor at all over the years and the time where he’s relying on his “hot body” to do a lot of the acting for him has passed. As someone said, there are ever a growing number of young male actors jostling for that top spot as the main leading actor and if KSW is to compete with them, he needs to make sure that HIS OWN acting is better than anyone else’s FIRST: When that happens, people will most likely acknowledge him for the work he’s doing, REGARDLESS of whether he’s married or not.
I am amaze that how many comments about CM and KSW…if I am him I would be very happy…like or dislike, he is in our thoughts, enough so that we spent time to express them. Mr. KSW, not too worried…you can’t win us all…this is a real world . Though I want to thank for your efforts, keep up your passion for acting…you will be back again because if you are good, you are good.
And Mr. KSW, you do have enough credit for us to remember you…
its so boring no coment
The more i watch the more i dislike Yoona , the way she acts in talking , crying ,expressing her feelings very unattractive , not real , I wish the actress LDH ( in my girl ) could replace her so the drama more interesting , more fun to watch .
i don’t think that KSW lost his touch…i consider him as one versatile actor..you can put him in a drama, comedy or action or perhaps any genre..the problem is, he was expected to place himself on top of the list of A-list actors all over again. I notice that KSW has to start again to prove to the industry and the public, what an amazing actor he is…it’s not about the popularity list anymore, but the acting/performance that counts. KSW needs a breakthrough drama ..just like SSH in East of Eden. SSH..really did transformed into one amazing actor in that drama..never mind if he’s a hallyu star or not, he was trully the heart of the drama. SJS, has always been consistent with his acting..and remained remarkable in Cain and Abel. I wish that he, KSW, would really look for scripts/dramas that brings out his best..and i’m still waiting for that..watching Cinderella Man was indeed confusing and boring…it was pretty good at the first few episodes, then it became flat towards the end….i wish him luck, even though i find his married life very fishy..